Now I’m in Australia, “Down under”! The flight was OK, though it was immense long. I’ve been attending Australian school for about two weeks. The students there are very nice, but I miss my friends back home in Norway. I’m studying in Australia because I want to learn some new things. I’m studying English, and it’s great! Australian and Norwegian schools are basically the same, but Norwegian school days are shorter, and I have to wear a uniform here. It was unusual in the beginning, but I’ve got used to it now.

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Melbourne

My school is centrally situated in Melbourne, which is the second-largest city in Australia. I’ve taken pictures, this is one of Melbourne. The weather here is great! It is absolutely the best! Even in winter, though it is summer for the moment.

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I’ve only been in Australia for about two weeks, but I have got some new experiences. Australia has some rare animals, which isn’t quite common all over the world. There’s the kangaroo, the koala, the dingo, the emu, the seadragon, the iguana, the sawfish and the platypus. Emus are covered with long, thick, drooping feathers that are dark brown to grey-brown. They have extremely long legs (enabling them to run fast) with 3 toed feet. They stand 1,5 to 2 meters tall and weigh up to 45 kg. Emus are found throughout Australia from woods, to scrubland, to grassland, to desert areas, but not in rainforests. I haven’t seen it yet, but I wish to do some day. I think it is a very cute animal.

The platypus is one of my favourite animals. I saw it in a national park one day, and got amazed. The platypus only lives in some areas, mostly in national parks. It has a bill that resembles a duck's bill, but is actually an elongated snout covered with soft, moist, leathery skin and sensitive nerve endings. The body of the platypus is 30 to 45 cm long. The flattened tail measures 10 to 15 cm in length. The feet are webbed. The body and tail are covered with a thick, soft, woolly layer of fur, from which long, flat hairs protrude. The platypus has three layers of fur:
1. An inside layer to trap air and keep the animal warm.
2. A middle layer which works like a wet suit.
3. An outer layer to feel if it is close to objects.

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Platypus

A platypus grows to a maximum weight of 1 to 2,4 kg. The platypus is known to live for at least 12 years in the wild. Whilst underwater the platypus has its eyes and ears shut, and being buoyant, it must continuously swim downwards with its webbed forefeet to remain submerged. When I was in the national park, I managed to take a picture of the marvellous animal. I learned more about the other animals too, but I haven’t got time to tell you in this letter. I can show you a picture of the koala, though. It is very cute! I saw it in the national park as well, climbing in a tree.

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Koala

I’ve visited Australia’s biggest city, Sydney. It is a beautiful city surrounded by marvellous nature. Sydney is also encircled by the big harbour, Port Jackson. This was where the first convicts arrived in 1788. It’s about 3,3 million inhabitants in Sydney, and it is a “plural-culture” society. Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Sydney’s most well-known landmarks. The building of the bridge was finished in 1932. It is an awe-inspiring building.

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Sydney with view of Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Opera House

If you are at Harbour Bridge, it isn’t far to the Opera House. The Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, drew it. The building of the house was finished in 1973. It isn’t just a magnificent house, it has become a symbol of Sydney. I also managed to take some pictures in Sydney. This is only one of them. The view there was fantastic, you have to experience the feeling. It was fantastic!